Sgian Dubh

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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This is one that I have been playing with at work for a while. I finally did the HT on the blade last weekend, and finished the knife today.
Specs:
Handle is old ivory, carved
Sheath is black dyed mammoth ivory, carved
Fittings are sterling silver
Blade is stainless damascus

Stacy Elliott Apelt, FSA,Scot
 
Here is another one that is a bit different. It was commissioned by a chap who has had this tusk tip for about 30 years. He gave it to me to make a knife with a sterling silver blade. I drew up sketches of carved handles, but he said, " No, I just want a blade added. Don't do anything to the tusk!" So here it is.

Here is one more of the Sgian Dubh,too.

Stacy Elliott Apelt, FSA,Scot
 
Absolutely gorgeous! I can only hope to someday make a sgian dubh as stunning as those. Guess its' a good thing i got started on blademaking at my young age of 25, I'll probably be walking with cane assistance before I reach the point you're at if ever, but I can certainly aspire! Is that cast hardware or engraved? It looks like wicked nice engraved work in the pictures but i cant tell. (for the tusk tip one that is i'm asking about)
 
The tusk bolster was made with flat patterned strip. I shape it to fit, hard solder on a bottom and ...viola, a fancy engraved bolster.
The fittings for the sgian dubh were made with a similar pre-engraved material ( left over from the job for the Queen), and it was hammered and formed into the pieces. The tip was two pieces, shaped and then joined, with a hollow (handmade) ball added.It does require a bit of touch up hand engraving, but sure makes a fancy handle. I made up twenty sgian dubh handles for the batch I'm working on, using this method. They have silver caps and collars. Takes me about 5 minutes to make up a set. It would take hours to hand do the same thing.
Stacy
 
I like these Stacy, don't see many sgian dubhs on the forums. Always have thought they were neat little knives.
 
My wife just came in and asked what museum piece I was looking at. That pretty much says it all. I'm sure you'll be proud to wear that one Stacy!
 
What a great idea... pre-engraved sterling- it really dresses up the knife!!! Very clever and nice work. Good to see other Scottish style knife makers. Are you a piper?
 
No ,I don't pipe.Love to hear them, though. I dance a bit, and have a taste for single malts. At tonights board meeting, we planned the St. Andrew's Dinner, and Burn's Nicht.
Two big events comming up!
Stacy Elliott Apelt, FSA,Scot
 
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